In 1996, the average Wyomingite earned about $22,000 a year and the state ranked 33rd for average income. Last year, Wyoming's average income was over $43,000 and the state ranked sixth. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis figures released this week show that no other state's personal income increased as much over the same period.

State economist Wenlin Liu says Wyoming has an abundance of entry-level jobs in the gas fields starting at $13-14 an hour, and workers have plenty of opportunity to put in long hours. Wyoming's personal income is an anomaly in the region.

To the north, Montana ranks 42nd for per capita income. Idaho comes in 44th and Utah 45th.